Forty youngsters from across the state are expected to compete for the title of Connecticut Spelling Bee champ with the hopes of competing in the 91st annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

The Noah Webster House of Hartford and the Hartford Courant will host the statewide qualifying spelling bee on March 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Saint Joseph’s Hoffman Auditorium, 1678 Asylum Ave., according to Noah Webster House public programs manager Sophie Huget.

“The command the spellers have of the English language is so impressive,” Executive Director Jennifer Matos said. “It’s amazing to see 12- and 13-year-olds correctly spell words that most adults have never even heard of.”

Last year, 35 fourth- through eighth-grade students competed, and more are expected to participate this year, Huget said.

“The Courant is pleased to join with the Noah Webster House in honoring the next generation of top-flight spellers,” said Andrew S. Julien, publisher and editor-in-chief at the Hartford Courant Media Group. “Game on!”